Conducting a Transaction with an Electronic Card

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and process for conducting a transaction with an electronic card that dynamically generates transaction specific data determines whether the transaction is being conducted with a smart card reader or with a magnetic stripe reader. A smart card reader mode is activated if the transaction is being conducted with a smart card reader; a magnetic stripe reader mode is activated if the transaction is being conducted with a magnetic stripe reader. The electronic card is activated from a reduced power mode to a full power mode after either the smart card reader mode or the magnetic stripe reader mode is activated and the dynamic field of data is not generated until the full power mode is activated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/102,991, filed May 6, 2011, which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/726,868, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,954,724, which was a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.11/413,595, filed Apr. 27, 2006, which claimed the priority benefit ofU.S. Ser. No. 60/675,388, filed Apr. 27, 2005, all of which arespecifically incorporated herein by reference. This application is alsoa continuation-in part application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/391,719, filedMar. 27, 2006, which claimed the priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No.60/594,300 filed Mar. 26, 2005, all of which are specificallyincorporated herein by reference. This application sets forth thedisclosure of U.S. Ser. No. 60/675,388.

BACKGROUND

A magnetic stripe plastic card contains a magnetic tape material muchlike the magnetic tape used in digital data recording. The magneticstripe consists of a magnetic oxide, and binder compounds that providethe magnetic stripe with data encoding and durability capabilitiesneeded for plastic card applications. While these magnetic tapecomponents have been optimized for plastic card applications themagnetic tape used for the magnetic stripe on a plastic card is verysimilar to standard digital data recording tape. The encoding of themagnetic stripe on a plastic card also follows standard digitalrecording techniques but is again optimized for plastic cardapplications. The encoded data takes the form of zones of magnetizationin the magnetic stripe with alternate magnetic polarities. The north andsouth poles of the magnetized zones alternate in direction providing anencoding technique that can represent the binary “zeroes” and “ones” ofa binary digital code. The standard encoding technique for the magneticstripe on a plastic card is the F2F (Aiken double frequency) code wherea binary zero is represented by a long magnetized zone and a binary oneis represented by two magnetized zones each one-half the length of thezero—a long magnetized zone. The exact length of these zones ofmagnetization is determined by how much data needs to be recorded on themagnetic stripe. For example Track 2 data is encoded at 75 bits per inchor 75 long zero zones per inch—International Standards Organization(ISO) specifications 7811-2/6. That equates to 0.01333 inches in lengthfor the zero magnetized zone. The binary one would then be two zones ofone half that length or 0.00666 inches in length. Other lengths can beobtained for different data densities such as the 210 bits per inch usedin Track I and Track 2 of the magnetic stripe.

A magnetic stripe encoder consists of a magnetic write head and anelectronic current drive circuit capable of magnetizing the magneticoxide in the magnetic stripe to full magnetization (saturation). Theencoding current in the write head is capable of alternating directionthereby producing alternating zones of magnetization direction in themagnetic stripe that will form the data encoding of the magnetic stripe.

The two most common magnetic oxides used in magnetic stripe cards arereferred to as low coercivity (LoCo) and high coercivity (HiCo) magneticstripes. Coercivity measures how difficult it is to magnetize ordemagnetize a magnetic tape or stripe and is measured in oersteds. Lowcoercivity magnetic stripes are typically 300 oersteds and highcoercivity magnetic stripes are above 2700 oersteds. A high coercivitymagnetic stripe requires about three times more energy to encode orerase then does a low coercivity magnetic stripe. Many magnetic stripecard applications have gone to HiCo magnetic stripes because it is muchharder to accidentally erase the encoded data then on a LoCo magneticstripe. This provides greater durability and readability of the encodeddata in use for many applications.

Reading the encoded data in the magnetic stripe is done by capturing themagnetic flux field extending from the magnetized zones in the magneticstripe by a magnetic read head. The read head converts the changingmagnetic flux in the coil of the read head to a voltage patternmirroring the magnetization zones of the encoded data. The voltagepattern can then be translated by the decoding electronics into thebinary zeroes and ones of the data as is well known in the industry.

The process of magnetic tape application to plastic cards, the encodingof the magnetic stripe and the reading of the encoded data in themagnetic stripe at point of use has been a reliable and cost effectivemethod for portable personal data storage for financial, ID and otherplastic card based applications. However, the relative ease of readingand encoding or re-encoding of the magnetic stripe data has made themagnetic stripe plastic card subject to counterfeiting, copying the datato one or more cards (skimming) and other fraud abuses. Skimming fraudis growing around the world and has reached financial dollar losses thatcall for immediate solutions.

Smart plastic cards using memory chips and microprocessor chips werefirst introduced to provide another type of data storage medium notsubject to the types of fraud found in magnetic stripe cards. The SmartCards did reduce some types of fraud but the cards where much moreexpensive than a magnetic stripe card and the magnetic stripe readers atthe point-of-transaction had to be replaced with readers that could readthe data storage chip and the magnetic stripe by either contact or RFcontact-less data transmission. These cost factors and the large changesin the existing infrastructure built up around the magnetic stripeplastic card systems and applications have prevented the rapid and moregeneral acceptance of Smart Cards at point-of-transaction. Anotherfactor in the slow acceptance of Smart Cards has been the lack ofvisible benefits to the end user or consumer. The consumer is just ascontent to use the magnetic stripe as to use the chip to complete atransaction.

The need for fraud reduction with a versatile and inexpensivelymanufactured transaction card is urgent. In the US fraud is tending tocover from 7.5 to 12 basis points, and skimming is projected to cost $8billion dollars in 2005. Internationally, the need is even more dire,with fraud tending from 25 to 40 basis points and 60 percent of that dueto skimming. Nevertheless, merchants in the United States and elsewhereare reluctant to invest the resources necessary to change all of theircurrent magnetic-card transaction equipment for various reasons,including cost, convenience, disruption to business and reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus and aprocess using it for conducting a transaction with an electronic card.The card determines whether the transaction is being conducted with asmart card reader or with a magnetic stripe reader. A smart card readermode is activated if the transaction is being conducted with a smartcard reader; a magnetic stripe reader mode is activated if thetransaction is being conducted with a magnetic stripe reader. Atransaction specific dynamic field of data is generated within theelectronic card and either transmitted to the smart card reader if thesmart card reader mode is activated or to the magnetic stripe reader ifthe magnetic stripe reader mode is activated.

The electronic card can determine whether the transaction is beingconducted with the smart card reader or with the magnetic stripe readerwith or without use of a user input (e.g., a user activation button). Asensor in the card can detect the presence of a magnetic read head ofthe magnetic stripe reader that triggers activation of the magneticstripe reader mode while the smart card reader mode can be triggered byphysical contact between the electronic card and the smart card reader.

The electronic card is activated from a reduced power mode to a fullpower mode after either the smart card reader mode or the magneticstripe reader mode is activated and the dynamic field of data is notgenerated until the full power mode is activated.

One account function can be selected from multiple account functions,such as, for example selecting between a credit account, a debit accountand a rewards points program account.

The transaction specific data packet is dynamically generated by amicroprocessor and either transmitted by a broadcaster to a magneticstripe reader (as a time varying and spatial varying magnetic field thatis interpreted as if originating from a standard magnetic stripe) orthrough a communications port that can communicate the transactionspecific data packet to a smart card reader. The card can be compliantwith a CR80 format and include a user activation interface that is not apower on user input button.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providefor improved use of an electronic card to complete a transaction throughuse of transaction specific data dynamically generated.

This and further objects and advantages will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art in connection with the drawings and the detaileddescription of the invention set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a functional component overview of the inventivemulti-standard transaction card.

FIG. 1 B illustrates a physical layer overview of the inventivemulti-standard transaction card.

FIG. 1C illustrates an electrical component overview of the inventivemulti-standard transaction card.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate sample physical embodiments of the cards asmay be implemented in a sample embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates the physical layer descriptions of a first embodimentof the multi-standard transaction card.

FIG. 4 shows many of the functional components of the first embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the physical layer descriptions of the secondembodiment of the multi-standard transaction card.

FIGS. 6A and B illustrate the printed circuit board layout for thesecond embodiment of the inventive transaction card.

FIGS. 7A-C illustrate assembly parts in the form of a stack-up assemblyfor the first embodiment of the invention, from front, rear andassembled perspectives, respectively.

FIGS. 8A and B illustrate features of the stack-up assembly for thefirst embodiment from front and side views, respectively.

FIG. 9 illustrates top mask portion for the printed circuit board layeror component in a first embodiment of the inventive transaction card.

FIG. 10 illustrates top portion for the printed circuit board layer orcomponent in a first embodiment of the inventive transaction card.

FIG. 11 illustrates the bottom portion for the printed circuit boardlayer or component in a first embodiment of the inventive transactioncard.

FIG. 12 illustrates the bottom mask portion for the printed circuitboard layer or component in a first embodiment of the inventivetransaction card.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the plated stiffener for use in a firstembodiment of the transaction card.

FIG. 14 illustrates the top layer of the plated stiffener.

FIG. 15 illustrates the bottom layer of the plated stiffener.

FIG. 16 illustrates the first layer top for the cover portion or layerof a first embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates the bottom layer of the cover portion of theinventive transaction card in a first embodiment.

FIGS. 18A and B shows the processor placement from front and side viewsrespectively.

FIG. 19A illustrates an outline of the processor configuration, in afirst embodiment from a front view and FIG. 19B illustrates the reverseview of the processor configuration wirebonding assembly.

FIG. 20A illustrates a sample details and pins of the microprocessor ina first embodiment.

FIG. 20B illustrates the details of the pins for wirebonding assembly ina first embodiment.

FIGS. 21 A-D illustrate the broadcasting coil core in a first embodimentfrom four views.

FIGS. 22 A-C illustrate the broadcasting core assembly in a firstembodiment, from three views.

FIG. 22D illustrates details of the broadcasting core in a firstembodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates details for the proper broadcasting core winding ina first embodiment.

FIGS. 24A-C illustrate the front, rear and side of the stack assemblyfor use in the second embodiment.

FIGS. 25A and B illustrate a sheet of printed circuit boards from frontand side views, respectively.

FIG. 26 shows the mask for the top layer of the PCB for the secondembodiment.

FIG. 27 shows the top layer of the PCB for the second embodiment.

FIG. 28 shows the bottom layer of the PCB for the second embodiment.

FIG. 29 shows the mask for the bottom layer of the PCB for the secondembodiment.

FIGS. 30A and B show the sheet of the stiffener for the secondembodiment of the transaction card, from front and side views,respectively.

FIG. 31 illustrates the top of the stiffener layer for the secondembodiment.

FIG. 32 illustrates the bottom of the stiffener for the secondembodiment.

FIG. 33 illustrates the top layer of the cover for the secondembodiment.

FIG. 34 illustrates the bottom layer of the cover for the secondembodiment.

FIG. 35 illustrates the details of a sample 8 or 10-bit microcontrolleras it may be implemented in the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 36 shows a smart card processor as it may be implemented in thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 37 illustrates a sample charge pump as it may be implemented in thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 38 illustrates three sample features of the second embodiment.

FIG. 39A illustrates the printed circuit board layout in a secondembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 39B illustrates a functional diagram of the printed circuit boardshown in FIG. 39A.

FIGS. 40A-D illustrate the broadcasting coil for the broadcasting corefrom 4 views, as it may be implemented in a second embodiment.

FIGS. 41A-C illustrate various features of the broadcasting coreassembly in a second embodiment from front, side a back views,respectively.

FIG. 41D illustrates the details of the broadcasting core assembly inFIGS. 41A-C.

FIG. 42 illustrates characteristics of the winding of the broadcastingcore in FIGS. 41A-D.

FIG. 43A illustrates a sample RC adapter broadcasting circuit, as it maybe implemented in a first embodiment.

FIG. 43B illustrates a components of the RC adapter broadcastingcircuit.

FIG. 44 illustrates a the functions of the components digital-to-analogadapter circuit.

FIG. 45 illustrates functional details of the broadcaster coil assemblywith two sets of complementary broadcasting tracks.

FIG. 46 shows a two-track magnetic stripe broadcaster coil card and twotrack magnetic read head in a point-of-transaction terminal withcross-talk flux illustrated in Track 1.

FIG. 47 shows a waveform transform in a first embodiment of the RCadapter broadcasting circuit.

FIG. 48 illustrates a first alternate embodiment of the RC adapterbroadcasting circuit;

FIG. 49 illustrates a second alternate embodiment (non-cancellation) ofthe RC adapter broadcasting circuit.

FIG. 50A illustrates an alternate embodiment of a printed circuit board,in which the features illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 are integrated.

FIG. 50B shows the PCB layout in the alternate embodiment.

FIG. 51 illustrates the mask of the top layer of the PCB layer in thesample alternate embodiment.

FIG. 52 illustrates the top layer of the PCB in the sample alternateembodiment.

FIG. 53 illustrates the bottom layer of the PCB layer in the samplealternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Electronic card technology in the present invention is in the form of anelectronic Smart Card (inventive transaction card) that can be used inany standard magnetic stripe readers. The inventive transaction card hasall of the major characteristics and components of a plastic card withthe addition of being able to communicate the information stored inchip's memory from the inventive transaction card to a standard magneticstripe reader by broadcasting the data from a special broadcast antennacoil. The inventive transaction card contains an internal power sourcein the form of a battery and power management system to provide power tothe chip and antenna broadcast system plus other security and userinterface functions.

The addition of a power source internal to the card provides many uniqueelectronic components and functions previously not available to passivemagnetic stripe or standard Smart Cards. These new electronic functionscan take the form of powered or passive electronic components andinteractive or secure software programs. These powered and passiveelectronic components and the associated firmware/software provide thecard with new applications, much greater security from magnetic stripeand ID theft fraud while providing direct user benefits that will givethe user reasons and motivation to accept and use this inventivetransaction card.

The use of a powered antenna broadcast system in the inventivetransaction card overcomes one of the major problems in the adaptationof Smart Cards. The antenna broadcast system allows the inventivetransaction card to directly transmit the data from the card into astandard magnetic stripe terminal's read head without modification tothe standard magnetic stripe terminal. This means that all of theexisting point-of-transaction terminals existing in user locations wouldbe able to read the data from an inventive transaction card. Theinventive transaction card provides immediate access to greatersecurity, control and user benefits to a large population of users.

The range of solutions provided by the Applicant's integrated solutionsfor the electronic transaction industry range from simple“anti-skimming” solutions in the “dark card” most basic commercialembodiments to fairly complex identity and anti-theft solutions withadd-on PINS. However, the cost-effectiveness of all of the claimedinventions remains high in the prevention of fraud. In particularembodiments of the invention “add-on” features are present and performaddition security and/or transaction features, which will be describedbelow.

FIG. 1A shows the relevant components of the PrivaSys-enabled card(discussed below): M1, a security processor, M2, an operationsprocessor, an ISO 7816 input and output for Smart Card transactions andcardholder data population, memory, battery, keypad, and RC signalconversion module, and a broadcasting device that allows use in standardmagnetic transaction swipes.

All the electronic components of the inventive transaction card, namelythe two microprocessors (MI and M2), the display, keypad, displaydriver, flex encoder, transaction sensor, functional switches, ON/OFFswitch, and battery contacts with battery cell are fabricated on aflexible multi-layered printed circuit board. The flexible printedcircuit board with all of the loaded components is embedded into acarrier with a front and a back cover film.

The inventive transaction card uses a dual microprocessor architecture(herein referred to as M1 and M2), in which M1 handles certain functionsrelated to the generation of security codes to handle triple DES and theproprietary DAC algorithm. M2, a 16-bit processor, handles cardoperation functions such as power management, device management, displayand user input. The dual processor architecture is advantageous over thesingle processor for reasons that are only tangentially related to thisstudy. However, it should be noted that the processors do not haveoverlapping functions and cannot be viewed as a multiplicity of the samecomponent. Most aspects regarding the functions of M1 are not relevantfor this analysis other than the existence of a microprocessor thatgenerates security information that is not directly connected to the M2non-secure I/O ports. Some of the processes performed in the M1processor are detailed in the publicly available intellectual propertyliterature of the Applicant, which is incorporated by reference below.

M2 and M1 communicate with each other through a serial bus structure andcommunication protocol, the specifics of which are not relevant to thisstudy. M2 includes an adapted 16-bit microprocessor comprising a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU), with a ROM, a RAM, a 16-bit parallel input portand a 16-bit parallel output port. M2 receives inputs through Input froma bank of switches. M2 also receives inputs from a keypad. M2 emanatescontrol signals from output through a display driver and display. M2also generates transaction signals.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, details of the structural functions of thevarious layers are illustrated. Card graphics printing CGP is typicallyby offset litho or silkscreen printing with issuer graphics andcardholder personal data on the surface of the second PVC layer of card.The white PVC front layer PFL can accept card graphics printing CGP andprovides opacity to the cards inner layers. The clear PVC outer layerCPL protects the rear printed and inner layers ranging in thickness from0.001 to 0.005 inches with a signature panel (not shown) and othersurface features. The clear PVC outer layer CPL protects the printedfront and inner layers ranging in thickness from 0.001 inches to 0.005inches with the chip pad I/O contact points and other standard cardsurface features such as surface printing, holograms and signaturepanels.

FIG. 1B further illustrates a sample embodiment of the invention withmany of the features that would be implemented in various commercialembodiments. The AL Adhesive layer tailored to bond the PVC printedlayer PVL to the inner electronic circuit layer ICL. The adhesive layercan be thermally activated during lamination or cured/activated by UV orother radiation techniques. The next layer PFL is made up of a white PVCmaterial suitable for being printed on by litho, screen presses or otherprinting process CGP. The printing CGP contains the bank graphics andother issuer related information common to all cards from that issuance.This layer with the printed inks is sufficiently opaque enough to blockthe inner electronics from being visible.

The adhesive layer AL is designed to provide adhesion between the PVClayers and the adapter circuit and electronic components (not shown)mounted on the circuit layer. The adhesive layer AL may be applied usingseveral standard techniques to the printed PVC layer PVL or to thecircuit layer ECL or to both layers. The adhesive can be activated byeither UV curing or thermal activation during lamination or both. Theadhesion layer AL provides for durability of card and seals the cardfrom penetration of moisture and other environmental factors.

The rear adhesive layer RAL, rear PVC printed layer RPVL and the PVCprotective overlay layer POL all perform the same functions as theirequivalent front layers described above.

The electronic circuit layer ECL contains a base material to support allthe electronic components and their interconnected wiring. Theinterconnected wiring (not shown) is achieved using standard etched andplated circuit board techniques. The electronic components of thetransaction card C are determined by the functions and applications ofthe card.

The outer layer of the transaction card in most commercial embodimentsis a standard clear PVC layer used in most plastic card construction andranges in thickness from 0.001 to 0.005 inches in thickness. It providesphysical protection to the printed graphics on the next PVC layer aswell as provides a PVC surface compatible with surface features added toplastic cards such as holograms, ink jet or dye diffusion surfaceprinting. This layer is typically identical to the rear clear layer RCLthat serves most of the same functions as outer layer.

The electronic circuit layer ECL comprises an adapter circuit (notshown) that may be in the form of a flex or fixed circuit, withelectronic components, switches, microprocessor chip, keypads, magneticstripe coil broadcaster and battery, mounted on the flex circuit. Theadapter circuit is discussed in FIGS. 41-49 below. The adhesive layer ALis tailored to bond the PVC printed layer PVL to the inner electroniccircuit layer ECL. The white PVC rear layer RPRL is printed one sidewith issuer graphics and cardholder personal data and provides opacityto the rear side of the card.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, features of particular embodiments of thetransaction card C include the “Smart Card” data input/output areaSCI/O, the microprocessor M1/M2, the user interface area UIA, theindicator light area IL, the magnetic stripe broadcaster area BS and thebattery power management area BT-PMS. The Smart Card input/output dataarea consists of the ISO standard input/output plate SCI/O that allowsthe transaction card to work with standard Smart Card equippedterminals. The plate meets ISO standards, which are hereby incorporatedby reference. The microprocessor area contains the microprocessor M1 orM2 and associated input/output electronic components (not shown) neededto interact with the other major components of the transaction card C.The microprocessor M1 or M2 contains the processor, random access memory(RAM, not shown) and electrical erasable program read only memory(EEPROM, now shown). The microprocessor M1 or M2 contains the following:software to interrupt the input information; operating systems software;card holder for personal data (account numbers, personal identificationnumbers, other banking or application user specific data); securityoperation systems software; and magnetic stripe broadcaster dataformatting for various accounts and power management software. Theability of the microprocessor M1 or M2 to manage multiple inputs/outputsfrom standard Smart Card interface plates SCI/O, customer and usermanual input switches UTA, user indicator lights IL, battery power BTand magnetic stripe broadcaster outputs BS provides the transaction cardwith interactive existing and future point-of-transaction terminalaccessibility not found in any other plastic card. The user interfacearea consists of tactile switch buttons UIA (1-4) that enable the userto manually turn the Enabled Card on or off and choose differentfunctions of the transaction card C and indicator lights IL (1-5)providing operational indications to the user. Using the manual inputswitch buttons UIA (1-4) the user can power on the card, to selectdifferent banking account or application functions such as creditaccount, debit account or rewards points program account. The indicatorlights show IL (1-4) what transaction card functions have been selectedand if power 12 e has been turned on or off, or if there has been anerror in operation in the Enabled Card. The magnetic stripe broadcasterarea BS contains the output sections of the microprocessor power drivercircuits (not shown) as well as the magnetic stripe terminal activationswitches 13 b-13 c and broadcaster coils for Tracks 1 T1 and Tracks 212. In addition to the broadcaster coils for Tracks 1 and Track 2, thebroadcaster area contains a Track 1 Helper coil T1′ and a Track 2 Helpercoil T2′ that reduce the interactions of the broadcast magnetic fieldsfrom Track 2 into Track 1 coils and the broadcast magnetic field fromTrack 1 into Track 2 coils. The battery power area contains the thin(less than 0.020 inches thick) polymer 3-volt battery BT and powermanagement system PMS.

Smart Card data input/output interface SC I/O plate provides standardconnectivity to a Smart Card terminal for MCLR, clock data, power,ground and test points according to the ISO 7816 standards.

User interface section UIA with combination of tactile buttons UIA(1-4)provides user with the ability to select various functions andapplications that have been programmed into the microprocessor M1 or M2.

UIA(1) Tactile manual input button can turn on or off power to EnabledCard; UIA(2) Tactile manual input button selects the first applicationprogram—A1 (for example a bank credit application); UIA(3) Tactilemanual input button selects the second application program—A2 (forexample a bank debit application); and UIA(4) Tactile manual inputbutton selects the third application program—A3 (for example a bank ormerchant points or reward program). IL User interface feedback sectioncontains LED lights or other forms of illumination that will provide theuser with an indication of the configuration and status of thetransaction card C.

IL(1) User indication red LED light indicates when power to themicroprocessor has been turned off or that an error in the setup oroperations has occurred. IL(2) User indication green LED light indicateswhen power to the microprocessor has been turned on. IL(3) Userindication LED light indicates that the first application program (AI)has been selected (for example a bank credit application). IL(4) Userindication LED light indicates that the second application program (A2)has been selected (for example a bank debit application). IL(5) Userindication LED light indicates that the third application program (A3)has been selected (for example a bank or merchant points—rewardsprogram).

BS Magnetic stripe broadcaster module contains the magnetic stripebroadcaster Track 1 TI and Track 2 T2 coils, the Track 1 T1′ and Track 2T2′ Helper coils, the leading and trailing magnetic stripe trip switchesand adapter circuit for mounting coils and interconnected wiring (notshown). Magnetic stripe broadcaster driver and pulse shape circuits formthe coil magnetic stripe broadcaster driver voltages and currentssupply. SEN1 Magnet trip switch at lead edge of stripe (right edge ofstripe when facing side of card that would contain a magnetic stripe)consist of a high energy magnetic housed within the Enabled Card. Themagnetic trip switch is activated by the attraction of the magnet to themagnetic read head ferrite core of a point-of-transaction terminal. SEN2Magnetic trip switch at the trailing edge of the stripe (left edge ofstripe) has the same configuration and purpose as the lead edge magnettrip switch in 13 b.

This magnet trip switch is activated when the Enabled Card is swiped ina point-of transaction terminal in the reverse direction (trailing edgefirst).

T2 Track 2 magnetic stripe broadcaster coil broadcasts the Track 2 datafrom the microprocessor to the Track 2 read head in thepoint-of-transaction terminal. The magnetic stripe broadcaster coilconsists of special would coils and ferromagnetic cores for fluxamplification and control. T1 Track 1 magnetic stripe broadcaster coilbroadcasts the Track 1 data from the microprocessor to the Track 1 readhead in the point-of-transaction magnetic terminal. The Track 1 magneticstripe broadcaster coil consists of a special would coil andferromagnetic core for flux amplification and control.

T2′ Track 2 Helper broadcaster coil is used to cancel out the Track 1induced signal from the Track 2 broadcast coil. Phase and amplitudecorrections are used to cancel out the Track 2 data picked up inTrack 1. The Track 2 Helper coil is located above the Track 1 magneticstripe broadcaster coil. T1′ Track 1 Helper broadcaster coil is used tocancel out the Track 2 induced signal from the Track 1 broadcast coil.Phase and amplitude corrections are used to cancel out the Track 1 datapicked up in Track 2. The Track 1 Helper coil is located below the Track2 magnetic stripe broadcaster coil.

BT Special design polymer solid-state battery under 0.020 inches thickthat provides stand alone 3 volts of power for operations of EnabledCard, independent of any terminal connections. PMC Power managementcircuits controls the amount of power sent to the various components ofthe transaction card C.

In particular embodiments the invention, the broadcasting card C, 1, 10,51 is designed to function in an existing magnetic stripepoint-of-transaction terminal environment (not shown). In this existingpoint-of-transaction infrastructure the magnetic stripe provides theaccess to the stored information on the card through the use of themicroprocessor, battery power and circuit elements on the RC adaptercircuit RCAC internal to the inventive Card. The Enabled Card providesthe access to the stored information on the card by an electronicbroadcaster system BS that produces a time varying magnetic fieldsimilar to the spatial/time varying magnetic field from the standardmagnetic stripe. The electronic broadcaster unit produces a time varyingand spatial varying magnetic field that is interpreted by the magneticread head in the point-of-transaction terminal as originating from astandard magnetic stripe. The time varying magnetic field from theelectronic broadcaster unit in the card magnetically induces in thepoint-of-transaction read head a time varying voltage signal nearlyidentical to the time varying voltage produced by the encoded magneticfield from the magnetic stripe card. The point-of-transaction terminaldecodes electronics and can process this time varying voltage from theelectronic broadcaster in the same way it processes the signals from amagnetic stripe and thereby decode the data stored in the Enabled Cardusing standard decoding procedures and plastic card specifications (ISO7811-2/6). This allows the Enabled Card to be used in anypoint-of-transaction terminal without modification to the terminal orthe network connected to the terminal. This gives the Enabled Card amuch broader base of use and allows the applications to have a muchlower implementation cost.

Sample finished commercial products may include the present inventionare shown in FIGS. 2A(F)-D(R), from front and rear views, respectively.As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there also may bedesign aspects of this card that are can be protected as well.

The present invention uses many of the important security andtransactions feature currently invented and assigned to the applicant.For the sake of economy, the following US patents and published patentapplications are incorporated by reference for all purposes:

TABLE 1.0 Patents and Published Patent Applications owned by theApplicant, related to the present invention and incorporated byreference herein. Pat. or Publication No Inventor Date Title 6,805,288Routhenstein Oct. 19, 2004 Method for Generating Customer Secure CardNumbers Subject to Use Restrictions by an Electronic Card 6,592,044 Wonget al. Jul. 15, 2003 Anonymous electronic card for generating personalcoupons useful in commercial and securing transactions 6,609,654Anderson Aug. 26, 2003 Method for allowing a et al user to customizeuser of a payment card that generates a different payment card numberfor multiple transactions 5,955,961 Wallerstein Dec. 17, 1996Programmable Credit Card 2005/82362 Anderson Apr. 21, 2005 AnonymousMerchandise et al Delivery System 2003/61168 Routhenstein Mar. 27, 2003Method for Generating Customer Secure Card Numbers 6,755,341 Wong et alJun. 29, 2004 Method for storing data in payment card transaction2005/86160 Wong et al Apr. 21, 2005 Method for storing data in paymentcard transaction 2005/86177 Anderson Apr. 21, 2005 Method for storingdata et al in payment card transactions 2005/80747 Anderson Apr. 21,2005 Method for generating et al customer one-time unique purchase ordernumbers

Additionally, the present invention is not limited to the standardfinancial (merchandise and cash) transactions, but is also applicable topseudo-cash transactions (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,203 issued to theApplicant, and incorporated by reference), cash back or reward programs(see U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,394 and incorporated by reference).

Other electronic features also currently owned by the Applicant arehereby incorporated by reference and include U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,341 toWong et al. (Lo Battery Indicator), U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,127 to Wong,(Magnetic Stripe Bridge).

Referring to FIG. 3, a functional “layer” diagram of the firstembodiment of the inventive transaction card 1 is shown. The layers aresimplified for illustrative purposes in FIG. 3 and are not nearly shownto the scale and geometry that would be present in a commercialembodiment. A main PCB assembly 237 that comprises the components of theinventive transaction card 1 includes component layers: a finished stackassembly 254, a die carrier subassembly 256, a cover layer 233, andbroadcaster core 178 disposed in the body of the assembly 1. Thefinished stack assembly 254 is also comprised of two sub-layers the PCBlayout layer 218 and the stiffener layer 226.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the components of the main assembly body237 of the transaction card in a first embodiment 1.

The following table may be used with reference to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 7-231to identify various features, components and configurations for thefirst illustrative embodiment of the invention.

TABLE 1.1 Key #1 FIGS. 4 and 7-23 INDEX DESCRIPTION FIGS. N/A FinishedStack Assembly Note 1 N/A Cover FR4 with Embedded Note 2 Trip SwitchC1-C4 CAP, CER, .1 μf, 6.3 V, FIGS. 4, 43A 0201 ± 10% X5R C7, C8 CAP,CER, .068 μF, 6.3 V, FIGS. 4, 43A 0201 ± 10% X5R C6 Do not populate CAP,CER, 1.0 μF, FIGS. 4, 43A 0402 ± 10% X5R LD1-LD3 LED Orange 0603, 2.4 V,FIGS. 4, 43A 35 mcd, 589 nm LD5 LED Green 0603, 2.6 V, FIGS. 4, 43A 3.7mcd LD6 LED Red 0603, 2.5 V, FIGS. 4, 43A 4.2 CANDELA R_MCLR, R_SW2,RES, CER, 200 Ω, FIG. 4 R1-R5 0402, 1/16 W, ±5% R4_C1, R4_C2, RES, CER,220 Ω, FIG. 4 R4_T1, R4_T2 0402, 1/16 W, ±5% R3_C1, R3_C2, RES, CER, 470Ω, FIG. 4 R3_T1, R3_T2 0402, 1/16 W, ±5% R2_C1, R2_C2, RES, 820 Ω, FIG.4 R2_T1, R2_T2 0402, 1/16 W, ±5% R1_C1, R1_C2, RES, (1.2K)1200 Ω, FIG. 4R1_T1, R1_T2 0402, 1/16 W, ±5% R6, R33 RES, 33 KΩ, FIG. 4 0402, 1/16 W,±5% ESD3, ESD4 Do RES, 10 MΩ, N/A Not Populate 0402, 1/16 W, ±5% U1Wirebonding Assembly FIGS. 18A-19B Drawing for PIC18F ON/OFF, S1, S2,Dome Switches FIGS. 4, 43A S3 BT1 Varta Battery FIG. 4 N/A Epoxy, DieAttach, n/a Conductive N/A IC Fill n/a N/A Z-Axis Tape 1″ wide n/a N/ACatalyst, Lamination n/a Adhesive N/A Resin, Lamination Adhesive n/aTRACK 1&2 Encoder Coils FIG. 21A-23 Cancelation 1&2

A sample listing of component parts is listed for the first embodiment 1in Appendix A of U.S. Ser. No. 60/675,388, which is incorporated byreference herein.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the invention in theform of an inventive multi-standard transaction card 10 is illustratedin a “layer” diagram as well. Like the first embodiment 1 discussed inFIGS. 3 and 4, the “layers” are simplified in terms of dimension andgeometry. A main assembly 253, includes a finished stack up assembly255, cover layer(s) 260, and broadcaster core 242 disposed in the bodyof the cover layer 260. Alternately the core 242 may be disposed in thebody of another layer.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the main assembly 253 of the secondembodiment of the transaction card 10. The following table may be usedwith reference to FIG. 6 and FIGS. 24-39 to identify various features,components and configurations for the second illustrative embodiment ofthe invention.

TABLE 2.1 KEY TO FIGS. 6; 24-39B FIGS. Index Description of Component(if relevant) BT1 3 V BATTERY FIG. 39 N/A FINISHED STACK UP ASSEMBLYFIG. 24 N/A COVER FR4 PLATED WITRIPSWITCH FIG. 6 C2 CAP, CER, 22 pF,0201, ±10% COG, FIG. 39 25 V, X5R C8 CAP, CER, 1000 Pf, 0201, ±10% COG,FIG. 39 25 V, X7R C3-C7, CAP, CER, .1 NF, 0201, ±10% FIG. 39 C10-C19,6.3 V, X5R C21-C25 C9 CAP, CER, .022 pF, FIG. 39 0201 + 80/−20%.6.3 V,Y5V C20, C1 CAP, CER, .033 pF, 0201, +80/−20%, Y5V FIG. 39 LED1-LED3 LEDYELLOW 0603, 2.4 V, FIG. 39 35 mcd, 589 nm LED4 LED GREEN 0603, 2.6 V,3.7 mcd FIG. 39 LED5 LED RED 0603, 2.5 V, 4.2 CANDELA FIG. 39 Q2, Q3CP324-2N7002-WS DIE, FIGS. 38, 39 N CHANNEL MOSFET R25 RES, CER, 00,0402 FIG. 39 R1, R22 RES, CER, 4.7K0, 0402, 1/16 W, ±5% FIG. 39 R2 RES,CER, 33KQ, 0402, 1/16 W, ±5% FIG. 39 R5, R6, R8 RES, 6200, 0402, 1116 W,±5% FIG. 39 R11 RES, 3900, 0402, 1/16 W, ±1% FIG. 39 R12 RES, 1.2K0,0402, 1/16 W, ±1% FIG. 39 R15 RES, 1.5K0, 0402, 1/16 W, ±1% FIG. 39 R16,R23, RES, 100KO, 0402, 1/16 W, ±1% FIG. 39 R24 R27, R32, RES, 33011,0402, 1/16 W, ±5% FIG. 39 R33 R28, R30, RES, 39K0, 0402, 1/16 W, ±5%FIG. 39 R31 R29 RES, 1MU, 0402, 1/16 W, ±1% FIG. 39 SD1 S9083_DIE,SCHOTTKY DIODE, FIGS. 38, 39 DIE FORM, .035-0.5 V U1 P8WE6032AEV_DIE,SMART FIGS. 36, 39 CARD 8051 BASED U2 PIC16F77_DIE, BBIT CMOS FIGS. 35,39 MICROCONTROLER U3 MAX1759_DIE, CHARGE FIGS. 37, 39 PUMP BUCK/BOOSTS1, S2, S3 DOME SWITCHES FIG. 39 ON/OFF DOME SWITCHES n/a N/A EPDXY, DIEATTACH, CONDUCTIVE H2OE N/A IC FILL FP-6401 N/A CATALYST, LAMINATIONADHESIVE n/a N/A Z-AXIS TAPE 1″WIDE N/A N/A RESIN, LAMINATION ADHESIVEn/a BROADCASTER COIL FIGS. 40A-I DIA: .001″ WIRE FOR IC BONDING N/ATENS, 10 GRAMS, ELONG: 0.5-3.OG N/A NO CLEAN SOLDER N/A N/A KAPTON N/AN/A FLUX N/AA sample listing of component parts is listed for the second embodiment10 in Appendix B of U.S. Ser. No. 60/675,388, which is incorporated byreference herein.

Regarding many of the embodiments in general, FIGS. 4 and 6 show thevarious layers of the transaction cards 1, 10 from a front/top view. Thedimensions of the electronic Smart Card are 3.375 inches wide by 2.125high by 0.003 inches thick, which are the standard dimensions of aplastic transaction card—ISO 7813. The use of standard dimensions forthe Enabled Card allows it to be used in all existingpoint-of-transaction magnetic stripe terminals and in all card issuingand personalization equipment. This critical achievement of meetingstandard dimensional specifications of standard magnetic stripe cards isdue in part to the unique components, construction techniques andprocedures of the Enabled Card.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, the stack assembly 254 for the firstembodiment of the inventive card 1 is shown from the front, rear andside views respectively. The stack assembly 254 generally includes twosublayers, the PCB layout 218 and the stiffener layer 226, each of whichwill be discussed individually in more detail below. FIG. 7C is asimplified illustration of the assembly of the two sublayers 218 and226, which “sandwiches a prepreg PP layer-type adhesive in between thetwo sublayers 218 and 226. This is layer is made with Laminate FR4stiffener to PCB on the primary side with prepreg material PP. In orderto compensate prepreg PP, it is advantageous to avoid run off adhesiveinto open cavities areas. Bowing of PCB on open cavity areas of thestiffener is not allowed. PCB must be flat after lamination of stiffenerto PCB.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the properties of the PCB layout 218 of thefirst embodiment and illustrate the printed circuit board configurationsfrom a top and side views, respectively. In order to make the PCB layer218 in the present invention, the following steps are performed: theboards are fabricated in accordance with IPC-A-600, class 2 and allother IPC applicable specs unless other specified; the board material isin accordance with IPC-4101/24 or 25 (Tg>150 C) and the color is naturalyellow. The board process is SMOBC/HSAL, the standards of which arehereby incorporated by reference. The mask is applied in accordance withIPC-SM-840 type B, class 2, the standard of which is incorporated hereinby reference. The mask 218-L1-M should be probimer or equivalent LPU.The color should be green. The thickness is 0.0001 min. 0.001 max. Thefinish should be plating shall be 35 u″ to 40 u″ of soft gold top andbottom with over approximately 100 u″ and 150 u″ of nickel. The datecode, vendor id and UL stamp are to be placed on a secondary side. Inaddition, tolerances require an etch that is +/−0.002 from design, sothe artwork must be compensated to achieve nominal dims. 0.010 linemin/0.007 space min. flatness/warp shall not exceed 0.007 inch/inch max.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate four sample layers of the PCB layer 218. The PCBlayer 1 mask 218-L1-M is shown in FIG. 9 and the process of applying themask is described above in FIG. 8A-B. FIG. 10 is the top of the firstlayer of the PCB layer 218-L1. FIG. 11 illustrates the bottom layer ofthe PCB 218-L2 for the first embodiment, and FIG. 12 illustrates asample mask for the bottom layer of the PCB 218-L2-M.

FIGS. 13A-15 illustrate the stiffening layer 226, for a first embodimentof the invention 1. FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the outline and sampledimensions of the plated stiffener. This stiffener 226 is created byperforming the following steps: the boards are fabricated in accordancewith IPC-A-600, class 2 and all other IPC applicable specs unless otherspecified, (the standards which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein); the board material is in accordance with IPC-4101/24 or 25(Tg>150 C) and the color is natural yellow. The finish is 100 u″ and 150u″ max of nickel over copper. FIG. 13B illustrates that FR4 materialFR4M is placed between 2 parts 226-P and 226-B of the stiffener layer226.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the top or primary 226-P and bottom orsecondary 226-B layers of the stiffener layer 226 for a first embodimentof the card 1.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate two distinct layers of the cover layer 233for the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a top layer 233-P, which clearlyshows the distinctive features of the first embodiment of the card 1 asshown in FIG. 4 (as well as FIGS. 1 B and 1 C). FIG. 17 illustrates thebottom layer 233-R of the cover layer 233.

FIGS. 18A and B illustrates the PCB die layout 234 from a front and sideview, respectively. The boards are fabricated in accordance withIPC-A-600, class 2 and all other IPC applicable specs unless otherspecified. The board material is in accordance with IPC-4101/24 or 25(Tg>150 C) and the color is natural yellow. The board process isSMOBC/HSAL. The finish requires that plating shall be 35 u″ to 40 u″ ofsoft gold top and bottom; ver approximately 100 u″ and 150 u″ of nickel.The date code, vendor id and UL stamp are placed on a secondary side.

FIG. 19A illustrates the front of the die assembly 234-F/U1 as it may beimplemented in the first embodiment 1. The specific functional andelectrical aspects of the microprocessor U1 in the first embodiment arediscussed below in FIGS. 43A-B et seq. FIG. 19B illustrates the rearwiring of the microprocessor U1.

FIG. 20A illustrates the wire bond diagram from the die assembly 256 forthe primary processor U1 for the first embodiment. FIG. 20B illustratesthe wire assembly from a rear view. In a preferred embodiment, theprocessor is a Microchip 10-bit microcontroller model 18F4520, thespecifications of which are included in Appendix D of U.S. Ser. No.60/675,388, and are hereby incorporated by reference. As can beappreciated by those skilled in the art, other microprocessors couldserve as a replacement for the model used in the first embodiment.However, considerations of manufacturing and commercial practicalityshould inform the choice.

Referring now to FIGS. 21A-23, a broadcaster coil assembly 178 for thefirst embodiment is shown. The material for the broadcaster coilassembly 178 is specifically designed for the facilitation the magneticflux broadcast, and is made of a Cartech HYMU 80 CORE 109. FIGS. 21A-Dillustrate four different views of the coil 178.

In preparing the coil 178 for assembly, it is important that the sharpedges be sanded and that the core winding 109 of the type as shown inFIGS. 22A-C are used. A sleeving type of stock number 10-1004-OOA ispreferable and the sleeving length is 3.05+/−0.003. A heat-shrinkablesleeving is to be added to the core 178 prior to winding. The resistanceof the 36.6+/−0.5 Ohms is preferable for the first embodiment andinductance is 7.9+/−10% mH. There should not be any short between thewinding 109 and the core 178. The end of the coils 178E-178E′ are to betacked into place with instant adhesive (not shown).

FIG. 23 illustrates the proper winding for the core material 109. Thecore should be wound with a right hand sense. In a preferredconfiguration of the first embodiment 44 wire gauge is used, turned 685times with a 0.0035 pitch. As can be appreciated, the core should befree of defects. The wire is preferably MWS INDUSTRIES NEMA MW80-C40QPN-155 NATURAL N/A MAGNET WIRE, 40 GA, 3 A/R N/A 10-1003-OOA AdvancedPolymers P/N:080050CST N/A The SLEEVING MATERIAL is φ.080.

Now returning to the second embodiment 10 of the inventive transactioncard, and the components that comprise it, FIGS. 24A-C illustrate thestack assembly 255 for the second embodiment, from front, rear and sideviews, respectively. Like the stack assembly in the first embodiment,discussed in FIGS. 7A-C, this is layer is made with Laminate FR4stiffener to PCB on primary side with prepreg material PP. Compensateprepreg PP to avoid run off of adhesive into open cavities areas. Bowingof PCB on open cavity areas of the stiffener is not allowed. PCB must beflat after lamination of stiffener to PCB.

FIGS. 25A and B illustrate how the printed circuit board components 250may be manufactured in a “sheet” of six, 250(1-6) in order to facilitateefficient manufacturing of the cards, which must be cost-effectivelybuilt. Other numbers of components per sheet may also be used dependingon the needs of the end-user, but six is used in a preferred embodiment.In order to make the, PCB layer 250 for the second embodiment, thefollowing steps are performed: fabricate boards in accordance withIPC-A-600, class 2 and all other IPC applicable specs unless otherspecified; the board material is in accordance with IPC-4101/24 or 25(Tg>150 C) color is Natural yellow. The board process is SMOBC/HSAL, thestandards of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Apply mask inaccordance with IPC-SM-840 type B, class 2, the standard of which isincorporated herein by reference. Mask 218-Li-M to be probimer orequivalent LPU. Color to be green. Thickness 0.0001 min, 0.001 max;finish: plating shall be 35 u″ to 40 u″ of soft gold top and bottom;Over approximately 100 u″ and 150 u″ of nickel; date code, vendor id andUL stamp to be placed on secondary side. In addition, tolerances requirean etch that is +/−0.002 from design, compensate artwork to achievenominal dims. 0.010 line min/0.005 space min. flatness/warp shall notexceed 0.007 inch/inch max.

FIGS. 26-29 show the other “six-sheet manufacturing layers” of the PCB250 for the second embodiment of the card 10. FIG. 26 is the mask forthe first layer of the PCB 250-P-M (1-6); FIG. 27 is the first orprimary layer 250-PL(1-6). FIG. 28 is the bottom or secondary layer250-S(1-6); and FIG. 29 is the mask for the bottom or secondary layer250-S-M (1-6).

FIGS. 30A and B show the sheet of the stiffener layer 251 (1-6) in theform of a six unit sheet, for the second embodiment of the invention,from front and side views, respectively: This stiffener layer 251 ismuch like the one described above in FIGS. 13A and B. Laminate FR4stiffener to PCB on primary side with prepreg material. Compensateprepreg PP to avoid run our of adhesive into open cavities areas. Bowingof PCB on open cavity areas of the stiffener is not allowed. PCB must beflat after lamination of stiffener to PCB. Boards are fabricated inaccordance with IPC-A-600, class 2 and all other IPC applicable specsunless other specified. The board material is in accordance withIPC-4101/24 or 25 (such that Tg>150 C) and the color is generally, butnot limited to Natural yellow. The board process is HSAL 0.0003″ min.

FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate the primary or front 251-P(1-6) and bottom251-B (1-6) layers of the stiffener layer 251, respectively, asmanufactured in a six-unit sheet.

FIGS. 33 and 34 show the top 260-P and bottom 260-B of the outer layer260, for the second embodiment, respectively.

FIG. 35 illustrates the detail of a sample 8-bit microprocessor U2 as itmay be implemented in the second embodiment 253-A. In certainembodiments, other low-power processors can be used. However, as shownin the second embodiment, a Microchip 8-bit microcontroller modelPIC16LF77 is used (see FIGS. 39A and B). The technical details of thismicroprocessor U2 are included in Appendix C of U.S. Ser. No. 60/675,388which is specifically incorporated herein by reference. As can beappreciated by skilled artisans, the choice of particularmicrocontrollers must be informed by manufacturing, cost, and commercialuse considerations. Therefore, other microcontrollers may replace thisparticular model, but must meet the practical requirements for use inthe inventive transaction card 10.

FIG. 36 illustrates a sample processor U4 for a smart card interface. Inparticular embodiments, the processor is a Phillips 6032 8-bit smartcard microcontroller, the details of which are included in Appendix Eand are incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 37 shows a charge pump CP, and the surround connections 253-C,which may be implemented in the second embodiment 10 of the invention.In a preferred embodiment the charge pump is a Maxim Integrated Productsmodel 1759. The details of the sample charge pump are included inAppendix F of U.S. Ser. No. 60/675,388, and are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIG. 38 shows various MOSFETs Q2 and Q3 which may be implemented, aswell as a diode SD1.

Referring now to FIGS. 40A-42, a broadcaster coil assembly 242 for thefirst embodiment is shown. The material for the broadcaster coilassembly 242 is specifically designed for the facilitation the magneticflux broadcast, and is made of a Cartech HYMU 80 CORE 109. FIGS. 40A-Dillustrate four different views of the coil 174 for use in the assembly242.

In preparing the coil 242 for assembly, it is important that the sharpedges be sanded and that the core winding 242W of the type as shown inFIGS. 41A-C are used. A sleeving type of stock number 10-1004-OOA ispreferable and the sleeving length is 3.05+/−0.003. A heat-shrinkablesleeving is to be added to the core 242 prior to winding. The resistanceof the 13.0+/−0.5 Ohms is preferable for the first embodiment andinductance is 2.5+/−20% mH. There should not be any short between thewinding 174 and the core 242. The end of the coils 242E-242E are to betacked into place with instant adhesive (not shown). Unlike theembodiment in FIG. 21A, the entire core 242 is to be dipped inpolyurethane and heat cured.

FIG. 42 illustrates the proper winding for the core material 174. Thecore should be wound with a right hand sense. In a preferredconfiguration of the first embodiment 44 wire gauge is used, turned 444times with a 0.0045 pitch. As can be appreciated, the core should befree of defects.

Referring now to FIG. 43A, the adapter circuit RCAC is shown in a samplefor the first embodiment 1, but can be used in any embodiment of theinventive transaction card.

A functional diagram of the RC adapter circuit RCAC is shown in FIG.43B.

The present invention as embodied in the transaction card includes adevice constructed of multiple proprietary components which essentially“broadcasts” the appropriate and industry compliant magnetic signals tothe transaction reader when the card is properly placed. Please refer toFIGS. 45 and 46, below for a highly simplified description of theoperation of the generation and broadcast of the waveform transform.

In a highly-simplified representation of the invention, the RC networkoutputs signals to a number of broadcast connections, represented byconnections and circuit configurations T1, T1′, T2 and T2′ in thedrawings. The circuit configurations are designed in order for thewaveform signal to be properly converted into a magnetic broadcast whenthe signals pass through the broadcasting device.

The output transaction waveform signal is converted to compliantmagnetic flux reversal broadcast in the broadcaster. An illustrativediagram of the broadcaster BS is shown in FIG. 45 and includes a core ofspecialty material chosen for its magnetic permeability as well as otherimportant chemically-related properties. This is discussed above inFIGS. 21A-23 and 40A-42. The core is surrounded by the multiple waveformcircuit configurations made of another types of specialty materialchosen for it electrical and magnetic properties. Together, the core,and the surrounding circuitry and the structures for attachment to thecard may be considered a “flex encoder.” Furthermore, in order toprevent cross-contamination “cross-talk” of the magnetic fieldbroadcast, a cancellation structure is also included in the broadcastwaveform generation device, the magnetic field(s) to begenerated/broadcast is not to be operable or readable by the transactiondevice in the inventive transaction card system and the cancellationstructure is not static.

The broadcaster also includes sensors SEN1 and SEN2 that determine whenthe inventive transaction card is being swiped. These sensors areconnected to the processor U1 or U2 to activate the broadcast process.

FIG. 47 shows that the waveform signal passed through the broadcastingdevice generates a magnetic field at the appropriate detection locationson the reader. The Magnetic flux reversals are broadcast for anappropriately determined amount of time to ensure that the transactionis completed.

The broadcasted flux reversals are read by a conventional magneticstripe reader and are then processed in exactly the same fashion as aconventional credit card number and credit cardholder name since suchinformation can be sent to a credit card approval agent for approval ofthe transaction. The credit card approval agent has all of theinformation necessary to determine if the transaction is valid orfraudulent.

A first alternate of the RC adapter circuit RCAC′ is shown in FIG. 48.Many of the characteristics of this adapter circuit are similar to thoseshown in the first embodiment in FIGS. 43A and B, but with someimportant variations.

A second alternate RC adapter circuit RCAC″ is shown in FIG. 49 fromprimarily a functional perspective. The second alternative RC adaptercircuit RCAC″ does not use the “cancellation” tracks shown in FIGS.39A-B, 43A-B and 44-48, but directed produces the desired magneticsignals from a two or more track system in the alternate broadcastingsystem BS'.

A printed circuit board (PCB) layer in an alternate embodiment 51 isshown in FIGS. 50A and B, from front and side views, respectively51-PCB. The alternate embodiment implements features and configuration,as well as omits others, that are included in the first 1 and second 10embodiments discussed above, in FIGS. 3-4; 6-23 and 5-6 and 7-40,respectively. FIG. 50B illustrates the positioning of the mask and topand bottom layer(s) in the circuit board for the alternate card 51 pcb.

FIG. 51 illustrates the layer 1 mask-51-L1-M. FIG. 52 shows the toplayer 51-L1 for the alternate PCB and FIG. 53 shows the layer 2 bottom,51-L2.

The magnetic field illustrated by the magnetic lines of flux generatedby the broadcaster coil and is extended outward from the coil incontinuous paths always passing thru the magnetic stripe broadcastercoil and then out into the space around the coil, re-entering the coilto complete the continuous path of flux lines. The flux lines have thegreatest intensity at very close distances to the coil and decrease instrength and density as you move away form the coil. The greatestconcentration of magnetic flux is both at the ends of the magneticstripe broadcaster as well as all along the length of the coil. Themagnetic flux lines (magnetic field) extend from the top and the bottomof the coil in opposite directions to complete their continuous paths.The flux lines intercepted by Track 1 magnetic read head add confusingnoise at 75 bpi into the Track 1 decoding circuits and this needs to beavoided.

Of particular interest are the magnetic flux lines that are interceptedby the magnetic read head in the terminal. The magnetic read headcontains a ferrite core that is very conductive to magnetic flux (lowreluctance), much greater than the air and material surrounding the coreof the magnetic read head. The magnetic flux near the gap in themagnetic read head is diverted from its path in free space to follow themore conductive path through the core of the magnetic read head. As suchthe magnetic flux passes through the magnetic read head coil and inducesa voltage in the magnetic read head coil representing the time variationor strength variation in the magnetic field generating the magneticflux. This changing pattern of voltage can be detected and decoded intobinary zeroes and ones by the terminal detection circuits. This methodof capturing magnetic flux in a magnetic read head and generating a timevarying voltage representing the time varying magnetic field is wellknown in the industry. The magnetic stripe broadcaster in the inventivetransaction card when powered by the battery and driven by a formatteddata signal generated by the microprocessor is formatted to representthe F2F data of an encoded magnetic stripe; by the magnetic stripebroadcaster driver circuits will generate a time varying voltage in themagnetic read head of the terminal that will be decoded by the terminaldecoding circuits into the binary digits of the encoded data just as ifthe data had come from a standard encoded magnetic stripe card. Thisallows the microprocessor, internal to the Enabled Card, to communicatewith a standard magnetic stripe terminal using the standard magneticread head in the terminal with no modifications to the terminal or theinfrastructure of the existing magnetic stripe system. Thus theinventive transaction card acts as a Smart Card and can work within theextensive magnetic stripe point-of-transaction infrastructure withminimal procedural and cost impact.

The introduction of a second, third or more magnetic stripe broadcastercoils is possible using the Enabled Card microprocessor and powermanagement system, additional magnetic stripe broadcaster coils could beadded in similar fashion. With the addition of a second magnetic stripemagnetic read head for Track 1 and Track 1 decoded circuit in a twotrack point-of-transaction terminal, there exists the possibility ofmagnetic flux 523 from the Track 2 magnetic stripe broadcaster coil maybe picked up by the Track 1 magnetic read head. The Track 1 detectioncircuits can detect this “leakage” flux and produce an analog signalthat will be processed by the Track 1 F2F decoding. Typically theleakage flux detected by the Track 1 read head and amplified into ananalog wave shape by the Track 1 detection electronics will be lower inamplitude from the “primary” flux. The “primary” flux is detected by theTrack 2 magnetic read head and Track 2 detection amplifierelectronics=into the analog wave shape=at 75 bpi but it is enough toconfuse the Track 1 decoding circuits that are looking for encoded dataat 210 bpi and not an induced 75 bpi signal from Track 2.

In a similar set of conditions, the Track 1 magnetic stripe broadcastercoil will produce magnetic flux that can leak into Track 2 magnetic readhead of the point-of-transaction terminal. The Track 2 Detectioncircuits will detect the lower level leakage flux signal from the Track2 magnetic read head and produce an analog wave form at 210 bpi. Theanalog wave form at 210 bpi will confuse the Track 2 decoded electronicswhich is looking for 75 bpi data from the magnetic stripe broadcastercoil located in the Track 2 location on the inventive transaction card.

In both cases, the decoded electronics of the point-of-transactionterminal could produce errors if the leakage or cross-talk magnetic fluxfrom the magnetic stripe broadcaster coils in Track 1 and Track 2locations in the card is high enough to be decoded as data at differentbits per inch then what is expected in a standard Track 1 (210 bpi) andTrack 2 (75 bpi) encoded magnetic stripe. The Enabled Card has a uniquefix for this cross-talk flux leakage from magnetic coils which tries toemulate an encoded magnetic stripe. The transaction card uses a HelperCoils and phase related driver circuits to cancel out the cross-talkflux from Track 1 leaking into a Track 2 magnetic read head fromcross-talk from Track 2 flux leaking into a Track 1 magnetic read head.

Since the Track 1 and Track 2 bit densities (210 bpi and 75 bpirespectively) are so different, the mixing of signals from both tracksmagnetic flux in a magnetic read head will lead to decoding errors andthe inability to read the data transmitted from the coil to the standardmagnetic stripe point-of-transaction terminal. The transaction card usesthe Helper Coils to cancel the leakage flux picked up by either Track 1or Track 2 magnetic read heads in the point-of-transaction terminal andthereby avoids the problems of decoding errors and no-read conditions atthe terminal. The microprocessor, power management and coil drivercircuits, and the Helper Coil driver circuits act in conjunction toprovide the magnetic stripe broadcaster coils and Helper Coils with thecorrect voltage and driver currents. These are represented by the F2Fdata wave shapes for broadcast from Track 1 and Track 2 magnetic stripebroadcaster coils. The shifted phase and amplitude voltages and currentsto the Track 1 and Track 2 Helper Coils produce the analog wave shapes,which are detected by the Track 1 and Track 2 Detection Amplifiers inthe point-of-transaction terminal.

Another embodiment of the Enabled Card with the magnetic trip switchesis the use of the invention as a monitoring system to be able toidentify what type of point-of-transaction terminal is being used toread the Enabled Card, called the Self-Monitoring System. The trippingof the leading and trailing magnetic trip switches by the passing by ofthe core of the Track 1 and Track 2 magnetic read head in the terminalproduces two sets of pulses separated in time by the time it takes forthe Enabled Card to move past the magnetic read head core designated T1and T2 in block. The lead magnetic trip switch produces the first pulsesent to the microprocessor and the trailing magnetic trip switchproduces the second pulse sent to the microprocessor. This timingsequence activation of both magnetic trip switches can only occur if thecomplete card is swiped or transported past the magnetic read head. Thisspecific timing sequence tells the microprocessor that a complete leadedge to trail edge scan of the Enabled Card has been completed.

Another popular method of reading a magnetic stripe card is to use a dipreader or letterbox slot reader. Dip readers are popular at self-paygasoline pumps where the card is read on the way into the read and onthe way out. This double read gives the terminal two attempts to readthe data on the card and provides greater reliability at the gasolinepump. In a dip reader, the entire card does not pass the read head. Onlythe data portion of the encoded stripe, block, is read in eitherdirection allowing the user who is maintaining hand contact with thecard to remove the card from the dip reader. The Enabled Card willproduce a different set of magnetic trip switch pulses than those thatare obtained in the swipe reader or motorized transport reader where thewhole card length is passed in front of the magnetic stripe read head.

The inventive transaction card, when read in a dip reader, produces twosets of pulse signals from only the leading magnetic trip switch. Thefirst pulse is from the leading magnetic trip switch with the insertionof the leading edge of the Enabled Card into the insertion reader. Thesecond pulse is also from the leading magnetic trip switch as the cardis removed in the outward direction from the dip reader. This unique setof pulses from the just lead edge magnetic trip switch allows themicroprocessor to identify that the Enabled Card is being used in a dipread with only a partial transport of the magnetic stripe broadcastercoils passing the magnetic read head of the dip reader. Themicroprocessor can adjust the timing of the magnetic stripe broadcasterto accommodate this reading on the way into the dip magnetic read headgap of the magnetic read head and provide an additional read on theremoval of the Enabled Card from the dip read past the magnetic readhead. The two attempts at reading the data from the magnetic stripebroadcaster of the Enabled Card provides higher success read rates. Thedip reader's use of a human hand to insert and remove the card from thereader would produce a lower number of successful reads if only one ofthe directions was read.

In a preferred embodiment of the overall operation of the inventivetransaction card, the user first turns on the power to the transactioncard 1 or 10, shown above, by pressing the ON key tactile switch buttonSB1. The microprocessor U1, U2 etc. will be activated and the battery BTpower will be connected to the power management circuits PMCs. The powermanagement will light the Power-ON indicator light PIL that provides theuser with the indication that the transaction card 1 or 10 has beenactivated. If the power management sequence is not correctly activatedthen the Power-OFF/Error light PEL is turned on by the microprocessorU1, U2, which provides the user with the indication that the transactioncard has not been activated and the Power-ON switch will need to bepressed again to turn on the card 1 or 10. Upon indication by theactivated Power-ON light, the user can now select from one of three ormore functional accounts using tactile switch buttons SB2, SB3, . . . .Once the user has selected which function or account they want toactivate (for example credit, debit, or mileage points) the pressing ofthe corresponding tactile switch buttons SB2, SB3, tell themicroprocessor which data and what data format is to be provided to themagnetic stripe broadcaster driver circuits BC. The selected functionindicator light SB2, . . . is turned on, to indicate to the user whichcard 1 or 10, that the function or account has been activated. The powerto the microprocessor U1, U2, . . . _, indicator lights ILs and othermanagement functions have been in a reduced power mode during thisinitial activation phase. The user has a fixed period of time, asdetermined by the microprocessor program, to use the initially-poweredcard in a point-of-transaction terminal.

If the user or clerk at the point-of-transaction places the transactioncard in a magnetic stripe swipe or transport reader, the movement of thecard passing the read head activates the leading or trailing magnetictrip switches, depending on which way the card is inserted into the cardswipe or transport. Once the magnetic trip switch is activated, themicroprocessor/power management system turns on the full power of thebattery to the magnetic stripe broadcaster coils and sends the selectedformatted data/functions to the coils for broadcast to the magnetic readhead of the point-of-transaction terminal. After activation of thechosen account function in block and if the Enabled Card does notencounter a magnetic read head within the allocated waiting time period,the time out function of the microprocessor, block sends a signal to thePower-OFF/Error indication light to turn on and to indicate to the userthat the transaction card has been turned off. This process conservesbattery power if the transaction card has not been placed in apoint-of-transaction terminal. After the successful broadcast of theselected account data by the magnetic stripe broadcaster coils to themagnetic read head, the transaction card will wait again for a furthermanual input from the function button switches. When the microprocessorreceives the signal from the magnetic trip switch the battery power isincreased to full power to coils. The microprocessor and the signalprocessing circuits provides the Track 1 and Track 2 formatted data(accounts AI, A2 or A3) full power voltage wave shapes for the F2F coderepresenting the respective accounts selected to the magnetic stripebroadcaster coils and the phase and amplitude shifted cancellationsignals to the Helper Coil. The point-of-transaction terminal thenutilizes the received signals as standard magnetic stripe data andprocesses the account information in the terminal and network toauthorize the transaction as is commonly known in the industry.

If a function switch SB(x) is pressed again within the allocated waitingperiod then the operational sequence is begun again. If the waitingperiod is completed without an activation of a function button, then thepower management system flashes the Power-Off indicator light and turnsoff the power to the microprocessor completing the use of thetransaction card. The user can manually turn off the Enabled Card bypressing the Power-ON/OFF button at any time during the waiting period,which again flashes the Power-ON/OFF indicator light.

The disclosure of U.S. Ser. No. 60/675,388 included the disclosure ofthe following methods.

Method 1. A method for broadcasting transaction-based information from atransaction device embodied in a plastic card including the acts of:generating digital signals from a microprocessor; converting saiddigital signals from said microprocessor into at least two tracks ofanalog signal wave form; driving said first waveform signal on an analogtrack and driving said second waveform signal on a second analog tracksuch that said first and second waveform signals cancel each other out,such that a simulated magnetic field is generated along a target arealocated on said transaction card.

Method 2. The method recited in Method 1, wherein said target areacorresponds to a magnetic stripe area on a normal transaction card.

Method 3. The method recited in Method 1, wherein said first analogwaveform is transmitted along two signal lines.

Method 4. The method recited in Method 1, wherein said second waveformis transmitted along two analog signal lines.

Method 5. The method recited in Method 1, wherein said target areaincludes a material capable of magnetic broadcasting.

Method 6. The Method recited in Method 5, wherein said material includesspecialty copper.

Method 7. The method recited in Method 1, further compressing anactivation staff, in which said previously defined steps are activatedby a pressure mechanism located in said target area.

Method 8. The method recited in Method 7, wherein said target oractivation area is activated by a user's grasp (sounds like) of thetarget area.

Method 9. The method recited in Method 1, wherein said broadcastingsteps are activated by a user action.

Method 10. The method recited in Method 9, wherein said user action ispressing of a specialty button.

Method 11. The method recited in Method 9, wherein said user action ispunching in a sequence on a numeric or alpha numeric key pad.

Method 12. The method recited in Method 1, wherein the broadcastingsteps are activated by driving the card through a card swipe.

Method 13. The method recited in Method 1, wherein the said broadcastingsteps are activated by placing the card in an automatic teller machine.

Method 14. A method for conducting a financial transaction over acommunications network comprising a terminal, a payment networkincluding a transaction authorization issuer, and a payment card havinga chip, comprising:

storing on said card account information having a first portion readableby a first machine-readable technology and a second portion readable bya second different machine-readable technology, said stored accountinformation including a payment account number, an expiration date, aservice code, and wherein said chip maintains a transaction counter, andreceives a terminal challenge number from the terminal;

securely storing on said chip a unique per-card cryptographic key;

supporting on said chip a cryptographic algorithm for calculating anauthentication code using at least said key, said authentication code tobe used for verification by said transaction authorization issuer;

wherein said authentication code is calculated using at least portionsof said unique per-card cryptographic key, said account number, saidexpiration date, said service code, a value associated with saidcounter, and said challenge number, and

employing both of said first and second technologies to capture saidcard account information for conducting said financial transaction.

Method 15. The method of Method 14, wherein said stored accountinformation includes Track 2 data comprising said expiration date, saidservice code, and discretionary data, and wherein said chip is an REchip which stores said Track 2 data.

Method 16. The method of Method 15, further comprising reformatting thediscretionary data of said Track 2 data with said authentication code,said transaction counter, and said terminal challenge number; and makingsaid reformatted data available for reading by said terminal.

The disclosure of U.S. Ser. No. 60/675,388 included the disclosure ofthe following cards.

A card for use in a financial transaction, that is capable ofmulti-standard operation, including the acts of: activating said cardthrough an activation mechanism; driving a set of user data from a firstsecure microprocessor through a signal line to a second microprocessor;processing said data in said second microprocessor to generate a seriesof digital transaction signals; driving said transaction signals into aRC specialty circuit; converting said digital signals into two distinctanalog waveform signals; driving said two sets of analog waveformsignals along at least two tracks such that said first analog signal andsaid second analog signal cancel each other magnetically so that theresulting magnetic flux at a target broadcast area replicates themagnetic field created in a magnetic stripe.

An improved transaction card for use in a standard magnetic reader,wherein said improved card conforms to smart-card standards, said cardincluding:

a first processor operative couples to a power supply and a secondprocessor; at least two transmission lines connecting said secondprocessor to an RC conversion;

at least two broadcasting lines connected to output from said RCconversion circuit and would around a strip of magnetic broadcastingenhancement material;

wherein said signals from second processor are converted in said RCconversion circuit such that when said converted signals are pulsed onsaid at least two broadcasting lines, magnetic flux patterns are presenton said strip that simulates a static magnetic strip.

It should be noted that additional disclosure is set forth in thenon-provisional application that claimed priority benefit from U.S. Ser.No. 60/675,388, the disclosure of which is set forth in U.S. Pat. No.7,954,724. However, because the two disclosures are different, yetcontain some overlapping material, inclusion of both disclosures in asingle document would result in much duplication, with the potential forsome confusion due to different numbering nomenclature and its use inconnection with different figures. For this reason, the presentapplication sets forth the entire disclosure of U.S. Ser. No.60/675,388, without setting forth the entire disclosure set forth inU.S. Pat. No. 7,954,724. Still, U.S. Pat. No. 7,954,724 does provideadditional disclosure relevant to understanding the present disclosure,such as some of the following examples.

The aforementioned embodiments for the coils teach winding a wire arounda ferromagnetic core. In alternate embodiments, the coils can be made inother fashions. For example, coils can be made with various deposition,patterning, and etching techniques. As will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art, a ferromagnetic core can be coated with aninsulating film, and then coated with a conductive (usually metal) layerof, for example, copper or aluminum or alloys thereof by, by way ofexample and not limitation, sputtering and nano-sputtering techniques. Amask can then be applied to the conductive layer to define the coil, andportions of the conductive layer can be etched away to provide thewindings. The mask can be made photolithographically, by spraying with,for example, ink jet technologies, or by other techniques well known tothose skilled in the art. The etching can be accomplished with an acidwhich attacks the conductive layer but which is stopped by theinsulating film. This method of coil production may have advantages inhigh-volume manufacturing situations.

For example, a ferromagnetic coil can be prepared and cleaned. Aninsulating and/or etch stop layer can be applied by a variety oftechniques including, but not limited to, dipping, spraying, coating,sputtering, CVD, etc. A metal or other conductive layer can then beapplied, again by a variety of techniques including, but not limited to,dipping, spraying, coating, sputtering, CVD, etc. A mask layer can beapplied as a photolithographic material, by painting, printing,spraying, stenciling, etc., as will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art. The etching of the conductive layer through the mask layer canbe accomplished by a variety of techniques including, but not limitedto, dipping, spraying, immersing, and plasma etching techniques. Themask layer is then removed, and a passifying layer may be applied toprotect the coil assembly.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are other waysto produce the effects of the “coils” of the broadcaster. For example,magnetic material can be lithographically sputtered to create thebroadcaster coil effect. There are a variety of mass productiontechniques such as those noted above, by example, which will be apparentto those skilled in the art of semiconductor and micro-machinemanufacturing.

The broadcaster may further include one or more sensors, which areelectrically coupled to the general processor. These sensors are used tosignal to the general processor that the physical act of swiping thecard body through a legacy card reader has commenced. These sensors alsocommunicate to the general processor when contact is lost with themagnetic stripe reader, which receives and interprets magnetic fluximpulses from the broadcaster. Such sensors may take various formsincluding physical switches, pressure sensors or other alternativeswhich will be apparent to those of skill in the art. The broadcasterachieves its waveform subsequent to the activation of one or moresensors.

When used in a legacy Smart Card mode, the secure processor is poweredby bus from a Smart Card reader device. The reader device can be used toprogram and personalize the secure processor with various informationincluding, by way of example and not imitation, firmware code, accountnumbers, cryptographic keys, PIN numbers, etc. This information, onceloaded into the secure processor, prepares the secure processor for anoperational mode which no longer requires the use of the Smart Cardreader device.

In this “independent” mode, the secure processor communicates with thegeneral processor and provides services such as cryptographic functionsand the dynamic generation of authentication information which is usedto communicate via the general processor and the magnetic stripeemulator with a magnetic stripe reader. Also in this example, theauthentication code may be used only once for a single transaction.Subsequent transactions require new authentication codes to begenerated. The secure processor can also send account information and/orDACs via RF and IR.

In an alternative embodiment, the card body continues to be used withreader device a Smart Card reader device and also with a magnetic stripereader device. In this alternate embodiment, the card detects the modein which it is being used and automatically switches the usage of a busappropriately for the detected mode of operation. This is achieved in anoptional bus arbitrator. In other embodiments, there is no busarbitrator. An optional bus arbitrator can detect when it is being usedwith a Smart Card reader device because power is provided by such adevice via electrical connectors to a bus of the card. Similarly, anoptional bus arbitrator can detect that power is being provided by thegeneral processor and switch to the corresponding mode of operation,which services the general processor and the various I/O devicesconnected thereto. In yet another alternative embodiment, an optionalbus arbitrator allows for the dynamic communication of both general andsecure processors with each other respectively, and with a Smart Cardreader device. This requires bus arbitration logic which is well knownto those skilled in the art. In a further alternative embodiment, thegeneral processor is interposed between the secure processor andelectrical connectors so that the general processor acts as a“go-between” or a “front end” for the secure processor.

In another exemplary alternative embodiment, the general processor iscomprised of an ASIC chip, which optionally includes one or more othercomponents of an exemplary transaction card. For example, the ASICassumes the role of buffering circuit as well as the duties of othercomponents associated with a general processor in the previouslydisclosed embodiments. Further, the ASIC embodiment could, for example,produce adjusted waveforms for the track 1 and track 2 coils so that itis not necessary to include a track 1 cancellation coil or track 2cancellation coil. For example, the ASIC could apply a correction to theamplitude and phase of the waveform of the track 1 coil because of theanticipated effect of magnetic flux interference from the track 2 coil.Likewise, a correction would be applied to the waveform for the track 2coil, to cancel the effect of the track 1 coil. Also, when reference ismade to providing something to “cancel” the “cross talk” effect, by“cancel” it is meant that the cross talk is at least significantlyreduced.

Note that the corrections applied to the waveform may vary with timebecause the interference from the opposing broadcaster coil may varywith time (at different parts of the waveform). Thus, the correctionconstitutes two new waveforms for the two respective broadcaster coilsof this exemplary embodiment. Note also that the correction waveform fora given broadcaster coil will itself cause interference with theopposing broadcaster coil, and vice versa.

In some additional exemplary embodiments, an additional correction isapplied to compensate for the effect of the previous correction. Instill further exemplary embodiments, one or more additional correctionsare applied until the diminishing effect of interference becomesnegligible as the series converges. Note that these corrections areperformed in a computational manner before the corresponding portions ofthe waveforms reach the broadcaster.

In a further alternative embodiment, the crosstalk cancellation isperformed in a linear RC circuit which outputs corrected waveforms totrack 1 coil and track 2 coil. This RC circuit could be disposed withinthe exemplary ASIC described above or external to the ASIC. Again, thisembodiment is provided by way of example and not limitation.

Although various embodiments have been described using specific terms,and devices, such description is for illustrative purposes only. Thewords used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is tobe understood that changes and variations may be made by those ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scopeof the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. Inaddition, it should be understood that aspects of various otherembodiments may be interchanged either in whole or in part. It istherefore intended that the claims be interpreted in accordance with thetrue spirit and scope of the invention without limitation or estoppel.

1. A process for conducting a transaction with an electronic card, comprising the steps of: determining whether the transaction is being conducted with a smart card reader or with a magnetic stripe reader; activating either a smart card reader mode if the transaction is being conducted with the smart card reader or a magnetic stripe reader mode if the transaction is being conducted with the magnetic stripe reader; generating a transaction specific dynamic field of data within the electronic card; and either transmitting the transaction specific dynamic field of data to the smart card reader if the smart card reader mode is activated or transmitting the transaction specific dynamic field of data to the magnetic stripe reader if the magnetic stripe reader mode is activated.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the electronic card determines whether the transaction is being conducted with the smart card reader or with the magnetic stripe reader without use of a user input.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the electronic card contains at least one sensor that detects the presence of a magnetic read head of the magnetic stripe reader that triggers activation of the magnetic stripe reader mode.
 4. The process of claim 2 wherein the electronic card triggers activation of the smart card reader mode by physical contact between the electronic card and the smart card reader.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein the electronic card determines whether the transaction is being conducted with the smart card reader or with the magnetic stripe reader by use of a user input.
 6. The process of claim 5 wherein the user input is provided by a user activation button.
 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the user activation button is not a power on user input button.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein the electronic card is activated from a reduced power mode to a full power mode after either the smart card reader mode or the magnetic stripe reader mode is activated.
 9. The process of claim 8 wherein the dynamic field of data is not generated until the full power mode is activated.
 10. The process of claim 1 comprising the further step of selecting an account function from a plurality of account functions.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the plurality of account functions includes at least one function from two different types of accounts selected from a group of different types of account functions comprised of a credit account, a debit account and a rewards points program account.
 12. An apparatus, comprising: a microprocessor that dynamically generates a transaction specific data packet; at least one sensor for detecting a magnetic read head of a magnetic stripe reader; a broadcaster that can broadcast a magnetic stripe signal that contains the transaction specific data packet; a communications port that can communicate the transaction specific data packet to a smart card reader; and electronics for activating either a smart card reader mode in which the transaction specific data packet is communicated to the smart card reader or a magnetic stripe reader mode in which the magnetic stripe signal is broadcast to the magnetic stripe reader; wherein the magnetic stripe signal is a time varying and spatial varying magnetic field that is interpreted by the magnetic read head of a magnetic stripe reader as if originating from a standard magnetic stripe.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the electronic apparatus is a card compliant with a CR80 format.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a user activation interface.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the user activation interface is not a power on user input button.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the user activation interface allows a user to select an account function from a plurality of account functions.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the plurality of account functions includes at least one function from two different types of accounts selected from a group of different types of account functions comprised of a credit account, a debit account and a rewards points program account.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a user display selection indicator indicates which of the plurality of account functions has been selected.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a user communication output that provides a user with at least one piece of data necessary to complete a financial transaction involving the account function.
 20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the electronic card is activated from a reduced power mode to a full power mode after either the smart card reader mode or the magnetic stripe reader mode is activated. 